Hitching-post



Patenfed Sept. 2U, |898.

C. B. MARK.

HITCHING POST.

(Application led Nov. 24, 1897.)

(No Model.)

INI/ENT 0R @Kaya-n 6. .Ma/fk y m50@ Attorney WTNESSES NITED STATES Prion.

PATENT HITCHlNG-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,993, dated September 20, 1898.

Application filed November 24, 1897. Serial No. 659,689. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAYTON B. MARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lebanon, in the county of Lebanon, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in IIitching-Posts, of which the following is a specication,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to bitching-posts provided with side attachments, as steps; and the objects of my invention are to provide hitching-posts with steps hinged thereto and connected with a trigger, also hinged thereto on a higher level to permit a person to open the step or to close it again Without bending down his body while either standing on the ground or sitting on the back of a horse.

I attain these objects by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a hitching-post provided with foldable step attachments shown open and constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same, but showing the attachments closed.

In said drawings, A represents a hitchingpost that is preferably made of metal cast hollow and having in one of its sides, preferably the side that is toface the carriageway of a street, one or more openings B in the form of a slot lengthwise of the post, but having its upper end preferably of greater width to receive a step O of corresponding size. The inner end of said step consists of an arm c, which passes through the narrow part or slot of the opening B. Said arm has a perforation made horizontally therethrough to receive a pivot-pin d, that is made to pass through it and through the sides of the post, to which it is clenched or riveted.

At a suitable distance above the opening B there is made, preferably in the same side of the post, an elongated opening D, in which is placed a trigger E, pivoted therein upon a pin f, passing horizontally through it and through the sides of the post, to which it is clenched or riveted. The inner end of the trigger E is connected to the inner end of the arm c of the' step C by means of a vertical rod G, having its ends pivoted to said parts, so that when the upper end of the trigger E is pulled outwardly and pressed downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 2 into the position shown in Fig. l the step O occupies a corresponding horizontal position and can be used to easily reach the stirrup of a saddle or to climb upon the back of ahorse. When aperson has reached the desired seat upon a horse, he can readily close up the step again 6o by lifting with the end of his boot or foot the outer end of the trigger E without bending his body either forward or sidewise, and thus leave the step protected within the body of the post. When the step is opened, as shown in Fig. l, its outer portion rests upon a lug g, projecting from the side of the post directly under the lower end of the slot B, and its inner portion bears against the under side of a bar or lug h, projecting horizontallyfrom 7o the inner surface of the Walls of the post. The inner edge of the opening B is provided with a lip h 1to prevent the upper portion of the step from being pushed too far within the interior of the post.

The top of the post is provided with a hitching-hook K, having a nut-carrying stem and open on one side, through which opening a strap or bridle-rein can be easily passed to save time in fastening or unfastening a horse. 8o

Although the post is shown provided with only one step, itis evident that the trigger E could be made larger and be used as a step also, or that two steps could be located at different heights and each connected by rods, 8 5

ras G,with the inner end of the trigger E without departing from the spirit of my invention.

To insure the retention of the step in either an open or in a closed position, particularly the latter, a dat spring L, suitably bent, is se- 9o cured within the post, preferably by the retaining-nut upon the stem of tle hitchinghook K, and has its pendent portion normally bearing against the inner end of the trigger E.

Having now fully described my invention, I claiml. In combination with a hi tching-post having vertical slots in its side, a step hinged to said post and having its inner portion passing through one of said slots, a trigger hinged roo to said post and having its inner end passing through another one of said slots, and a rod connecting said trigger to the step substantially as described.

2. The combination of a post having vertical slots in its side, a step hinged to said post and having its inner portion passing through one of said slots, a trigger hinged to said post and having its inner end passing also through a slot, a rod oonneoting said trigger to the step and a spring bearing against the inner end of said trigger substantially as described.

3. In combination with a post having a a rod controliin g said trigger and step, a hitching-hook K open on one side and having a retaining-stein with a spring upon said stem and bearing against the inner end of the trigger substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CLAYTON B. MARK.

XVitnesses ALBERT D. LEoB, WILLIAM J. BECKLEY. 

